NEWS \\\


DFDS Seaways and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs said they are planning to open a new ferry route between Dover and Calais. It follows the cessation of rival state-owned operator SeaFrance’’s service and liquidation of the operator by a French commercial court. The two lines had earlier expressed interest in buying SeaFrance but later withdrew. The partners said they would operate two French manned passenger vessels, although no


decision has yet been taken on which ships will be used. They may include former SeaFrance ships, but might use DFDS or chartered tonnage. DFDS already operates freight and


passenger services on the Dover- Dunkerque route, a service it took over when it bought out Maersk’s Norfolk Line short-sea subsidiary. Dover-Calais ferry operator


SeaFrance was liquidated by The Tribunal de Commerce and told to


DFDS adds Rotterdam ship


DFDS has added the Anglia Seaways ferry to its freight route between Immingham and Rotterdam to enhance capacity and frequency. Bucking the general trend in the North Sea, the operator is increasing the number of vessels between Immingham/ Felixstowe in the UK and Rotterdam from five to six, three of those serving the Immingham- Rotterdam route, said managing director of DFDS Seaways’ freight services in the UK, Sean Potter. He explained: “In recent months,


we have seen a good development in freight traffic to and from the Humber area, and naturally, we would like to act on the demand put forward by our customers.” Potter added: “In future there


will be seven departures per week from Immingham to Rotterdam. We will be able to offer more than 50 departures per week between Holland and the UK (Immingham, Felixstowe and Newcastle) and


cease its remaining activities on 9 January, although services had been suspended since November 2011. The move is expected to result in the loss of about 1,000 jobs including almost 130 in Dover. In late January, Eurotunnel


chairman Jacques Gournon announced plans to buy three of SeaFrance’s four ferries. Eurotunnel,


like DFDS-LD Lines, had expressed interest in buying SeaFrance as a going concern, but is now apparently more interested in purchasing the assets of the bankrupt concern. Gournon suggested that he would consider working with the ‘Scop’ co-operative of former SeaFrance workers. There is also speculation that the SeaFrance capacity,


Issue 1 2012


3 DFDS and LD Lines to enter Dover-Calais market


particularly the Nord Pas De Calais freighter, could cater for trucks carrying dangerous goods or outsize loads that cannot use the Tunnel. A spokesman for rival operator


P&O Ferries added that the European Seaway freighter, introduced in November after SeaFrance suspended its services, would remain as long as the capacity was


needed. “If we need more capacity, we add it, if we need less, we take it away. The key is that we stay flexible.” DFDS vice-president Gert


Jakobsen said it was unlikely that the plans for the new joint service would include the SeaFrance freighter Nord Pas de Calais, although he did not absolutely rule out a freight-only service in the longer term.


Sean Potter


this will provide our customers with flexibility, which I am confident will be appreciated, especially at peak times in the middle of the week.” The Anglia Seaways offers


1,680 lane metres (equivalent to 120 trailers) for cargo such as unaccompanied trailers, lorries, cars and special loads. The ship was built in 2000 and was previously in service on the Irish Sea. Gert Jakobsen, vice-president


of DFDS said that there had been an upsurge in business from the Humber area.


Green light for new Grimsby car terminal


ABP said on 28 November that the development of Grimsby River Terminal (GRT) would go ahead – the largest ever capital investment in the port – alongside a new long-term agreement with Volkswagen Group. ABP will invest over £25 million in the new terminal on the river Humber, offering significantly improved access for specialist car-carrying ships. These currently berth in Grimsby’s Alexandra Dock accessed through the port’s original Royal Lock, built in 1852 and which limits ship size to a maximum of 800 cars. The GRT will, by contrast, offer lock-free access


for two vessels carrying up to 3,000 vehicles and will link directly into car storage facilities. Robin Slough, head of vehicle


operations at VW Group said: “Grimsby is at the centre of our UK logistics strategy. Its excellent links enable efficient distribution to our customers in most of England and Wales. We are delighted to support ABP’s expansion project by committing our traffic to the Port of Grimsby for the long term.” Work will commence early in 2012,


with the first ships expected to berth at the new facility in autumn 2013.


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